Xeriscape and Artificial Turf Installation in West Albuquerque, NM

We recently completed a xeriscape and artificial turf installation in West Albuquerque near Golf Course and Taylor Ranch Road. This project included both the front and backyard, but the two spaces needed different things.

The front yard had old gray gravel that I estimated had probably been there for about 20 years. In the backyard, there was an existing patio, a few bushes, and mostly dirt where a lawn had once grown.

The homeowners wanted to update the landscape, but making the backyard more usable was especially important. They had family coming into town for a birthday gathering and wanted an outdoor space where everyone could spend time together.

Project Overview: Xeriscape and Artificial Turf Installation

For this project, our SMART Landscape team updated the front yard with xeriscaping and installed artificial turf in the backyard.

Most of the detailed work happened around the backyard turf installation. The synthetic turf extended out from the existing patio rather than covering the entire yard. We used gravel around the turf and kept the existing bushes. We also added boulders and a few plants to bring more balance to the finished landscape.

For homeowners considering a similar project, you can learn more about our SMART Landscape synthetic turf installation services.

Before: Old Gray Gravel in Front and a Mostly Dirt Backyard

When we first looked at the property, it was pretty bare.

The front yard was basically old gray gravel. I estimated that gravel was probably around 20 years old.

The backyard had been a natural grass lawn at some point, but very little lawn remained. There were only a few pieces of grass here and there. Most of the yard was dirt.

They already had a patio and a few bushes, so we weren’t starting with nothing. There was a lot of room to create something cleaner and more useful for the homeowners.

The Goal: Create a Backyard for Family Gatherings

The backyard was really about family.

The homeowners had a birthday gathering coming up, with family planning to visit for about a week and a half to two weeks. They wanted to be able to sit outside, spend time together, and actually enjoy the backyard.

We talked through several options. We could put in natural grass, leave the yard without a lawn, or use synthetic grass.

Artificial turf made sense for what they wanted. It gave them a green lawn look without the mowing, dry spots, and watering that come with maintaining natural grass. It also helped us create a more usable extension of the patio for their outdoor space.

Why the Homeowners Chose Artificial Turf

A lot of homeowners like having something green in the yard, but they don’t necessarily want the time-consuming maintenance that can come with natural grass.

That was part of the conversation here. The homeowners wanted green, but they didn’t want to mow or deal with dry spots. Water use was another consideration, which is especially relevant when we’re planning landscapes in New Mexico.

We didn’t fill the entire backyard with artificial grass. The turf became the main focal point extending from the patio. Around it, we used gravel, existing shrubs, boulders, and a few new plants.

That combination gave the backyard a softer green surface while still keeping other xeriscape elements in the landscape.

The Work We Completed: Building the Artificial Turf Area From the Subsurface Up

Removing the Old Border and Preparing the Base

One of the most important parts of a turf installation is what you don’t see when the job is finished.

The old lawn area had railroad ties around it, and those were split and rotting. We removed them and excavated about four inches of dirt.

Then we brought in a base course made from about 3/4-inch gray crushed gravel mixed with crusher fines. We spread and compacted roughly four inches of this material to create a solid subsurface.

We also installed low-profile metal edging to create a clean separation between the synthetic turf and surrounding gravel.

“When you put in synthetic grass, you have to make sure the most important thing is that the subsurface has the right material in it.”

You can’t simply roll turf over dirt and expect good results. The preparation underneath matters to the durability and appearance of the finished installation.

Grading, Crusher Fine, and Final Leveling

As we built the base, we also paid close attention to drainage. Here’s how we prepared the final surface:

• Graded the turf area with a slight slope away from the house so water could move in the right direction.
• Added gray crusher fine over the compacted base course.
• Watered and compacted the crusher fine.
• Used stakes, string, and a line level to check the slope.
• Identified and corrected any high or low spots.
• Leveled the surface before installing the turf.

This is detailed work, but getting the grading and surface right helps create a better finished installation.

Stretching, Securing, and Finishing the Turf

Once the base was ready, we laid out the artificial turf and let it sit in the sun briefly so the rolled material could loosen.

Then we secured it with nails about six inches long. Installing turf is a little like installing carpet. You need to stretch or “kick” it tight as you secure it so you don’t end up with ripples across the surface.

The last step was infill.

For this project, we used infill with microbial and cooling properties. We worked it down into the turf with a power broom. That helps get the material to the base of the blades and helps the blades stand upright.

Materials and Design Choices: Natural-Blend Synthetic Turf, Gravel, and Boulders

For the artificial turf, we used Natural Blend synthetic grass from Turf Hub. I like this type of turf because the green is more natural-looking. It’s closer to an olive green instead of the very bright green that can immediately look artificial.

Underneath it, we used the compacted gray crushed-gravel base and gray crusher fine.

We also used 7/8 Santa Fe Brown gravel to match gravel already on the property. For accents, we added 2–4 inch gray round rock and moss rock, sometimes called character boulders.

Two maiden grasses were added near the boulders, while existing bushes were retained.

Those materials helped us balance the green turf with more natural landscape elements instead of making the entire backyard one large turf surface.

Professional Turf Installation: Why Stretching, Infill, and Power Brooming Matter

There are a few parts of professional artificial turf installation that are easy to overlook.

The base has to be prepared and compacted correctly. The turf needs to be stretched and secured so it doesn’t ripple. Then the infill needs to get down into the blades rather than just sitting on top.

That’s why we use a power broom. It works the infill farther into the turf and helps the blades stand upright.

Heat is another factor local homeowners should consider. Synthetic turf can become very hot in intense sunlight. 

For this installation, the infill included a cooling component intended to help manage heat in the turf blades. It doesn’t mean artificial grass won’t get hot, but it was one part of how we approached this installation.

 

The Xeriscape Side of the Project: Updating the Landscape Around the Turf

The front yard also received a xeriscape update, replacing the look of the old gray gravel. Xeriscaping offers climate resilience with plants well-adapted to Albuquerque’s environmental conditions. The interview for this project focused mainly on the backyard, so I don’t want to assign specific plants or installation details to the front that we didn’t document.

In the backyard, we do know exactly how the surrounding xeriscape elements came together.

We filled areas around the turf with gravel, including 7/8 Santa Fe Brown selected to match what was already there. We kept the existing bushes and added accent rock, moss rock boulders, and a few plants to create balance around the turf. High desert climates necessitate careful planning and site-specific design for landscaping.

Homeowners considering similar choices can also read more about xeriscaping in Albuquerque.

The Final Result: A Cleaner, Greener Backyard for Spending Time With Family

What had mainly been dirt became a clean, inviting backyard that the homeowner could actually use.

The synthetic grass gave her the green appearance she wanted without having to maintain a natural lawn. Because the turf extended from the existing patio, it also helped make that part of the backyard feel like a more useful outdoor living area.

The surrounding gravel, boulders, accent rock, maiden grasses, and existing bushes kept the turf from standing alone in the landscape.

Most importantly, the finished yard gave the family a place where they could sit outside, spend time together, and enjoy the property instead of looking out at mostly bare dirt.

What Albuquerque Homeowners Can Learn From This Turf and Xeriscape Project

Artificial turf installation takes more than rolling out the turf and fastening it down. 

The area must first be excavated, graded, and leveled with proper drainage. The turf must then be stretched, secured, filled, and power broomed. Each step helps create a finished surface designed to last. 

Synthetic turf does not have to cover the entire yard. For this project, we combined it with gravel, boulders, new plants, and existing bushes.

Homeowners often know how they want their yard to look but need help deciding what to add, keep, or remove. I listen to their ideas, consider their budget and future plans, and turn their vision into a landscape they can feel happy with and proud of. 

Before & After Gallery: Xeriscape and Artificial Turf Installation 

These photos show the backyard transformation from a mostly dirt space through the turf installation process to the finished landscape.

• Before: Mostly dirt backyard before artificial turf installation.
• During: Preparing and compacting the base for the synthetic turf.
• After: Natural Blend artificial turf surrounded by gravel, boulders, ornamental grass, and existing shrubs.

Plan a Xeriscape and Artificial Turf Installation in Albuquerque

A good landscape should fit the way a homeowner wants to use the space. For this project, that meant creating an inviting backyard for family while keeping the design clean and manageable.

By listening to the homeowners and considering their budget, maintenance preferences, and future plans, we created a space they could enjoy with less upkeep.

If aging gravel or a mostly dirt backyard is limiting how you use your outdoor space, the SMART Landscape team would be happy to help you explore your options. Request a consultation for artificial turf or xeriscaping in the Greater Albuquerque area.